This project was part of ‘ActivAte 2020’, a 3-year workplace wellness programme in the Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police forces, which aims to promote physical activity, healthy eating and improved sleep for police officers and staff.

The PAW-Force trial focused on promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour within the police force.  The aim is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile fitness technology intervention (Fitbit® wearable activity monitor and ‘Bupa Boost’ health and wellbeing app).

Approximately 180 officers and staff were recruited to the trial from two sites, Plymouth Basic Command Unit (Devon & Cornwall Police) and North Dorset territorial region (Dorset Police).

The eight month mixed methods trial used a pre- and post-design, and involves an exploratory analysis of outcomes including physical activity, sedentary time, health and wellbeing, stress, objectively reported sickness absence and self-perceived productivity.

Qualitative interviews were used to explore acceptability and engagement with the technology in the short and long term, and the wider context of opportunities and barriers to physical activity in the police force.

The trial also explored the acceptability of different app features (individual goal-setting vs. social competitions). An additional survey with managers, commissioners and occupational health staff within the police force investigated perceived feasibility and acceptability of the intervention at various organisational levels.

This work aims to add to the evidence base on mobile health technology, physical activity and workplace wellness.  The study aimed to improve our understanding of the feasibility and acceptability of wearable fitness technology in a specific workplace setting, and in the longer term.

There are potential benefits to the health and wellbeing of individuals and at an organisational level (e.g. improved productivity, reduced sickness absence).

The trial published it’s findings  in 2020. Engagement with and perceived acceptability of the intervention was high overall, but a small number of participants reported negative physical (skin irritation) and psychological (feelings of guilt and anxiety) consequences of technology use. Individual app features (such as goal-setting and self-monitoring) were generally preferred to social components (social comparison, competitions and support). In conclusion the report stated that Health technology is an acceptable and potentially impactful intervention for increasing physical activity in the police force. The intervention was less useful for reducing sedentary time and the impact on secondary outcomes is unclear.

The PhD was supervised by Dr. Karyn Morrissey (ECEHH), Dr. Andrew James Williams (ECEHH), Dr. Lisa Price (School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter) and Prof. John Harrison (Devon & Cornwall Police).